The Biden administration is facing backlash from both sides of the political spectrum for moving Cuba off the list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The United States hit Cuba with this name in 2021 just before former President Donald Trump left office.
In a statement released on Tuesday, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said the administration “is taking several steps to support the Cuban people as part of the reconciliation with the Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope Francis and to improve the lives of the Cuban people. .”
“First, today we informed Congress that President Biden has decided that Cuba should no longer be designated as a State Sponsor of Terrorism,” he continued.
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President Joe Biden speaks at the 115th NAACP National Convention at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on July 16, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)
“Second, let Congress know that the President has issued a repeal of Title III of the Helms-Burton Act, also known as Libertad Do, for a period of six months. Finally, President Biden revoked Presidential National Security Memorandum 5 of 2017 on Cuba policy to eliminate the so-called ‘restricted list’ and by expanding additional regulations regarding the dialogue of US citizens with Cuban-owned entities and organizations, in addition to what is currently in place. in US law,” he said.
Democrats are divided on the issue.
The chairman of the Florida Democratic Party urged the administration to “reverse the road immediately.”
“I am disappointed in the Biden Administration’s plan to remove Cuba from the federal donor list,” Nikki Fried said in a statement shared on the Florida Democratic Party’s X feed. “We strongly condemn the removal of Cuba from this list, as well as any removal of economic sanctions, and we urge the Biden Administration to withdraw it immediately.”
US Attorney Ritchie Torres, DN.Y., also disagreed with the administration’s decision.
“Do the majority of Cuban Americans support the removal of Cuba, an enemy of the US, from the list of state sponsors of terrorism? If the answer is ‘no,’ then why is the Biden Administration needlessly alienating Cuban Americans? I agree with the Florida Democratic Party here,” the congressman said on Twitter. .
U.S. Representative Cathy Castor, D-Fla., announced in a statement, “Autocratic Cuba has failed its people, and I disagree with the President that sanctions should be lifted without ending the oppression of the Cuban regime.”
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A front view of the US Embassy in Havana on Jan. 14, 2025. (MAYLIN ALONSO/AFP via Getty Images)
Some Florida Republicans were more critical.
Rep. Carlos Gimenez, R-Fla., slammed Biden’s decision as “sad and cowardly.”
Rep. María Elvira Salazar, R-Fla., announced on Twitter, “Once again, the Democrats LET THE CUBAN PEOPLE OFF! Shame on the entire Biden Administration for removing Cuba from the State Sponsors of Terrorism list. Cuba sponsors Terrorism LEADERS, harbors, trains and enabling Hamas, Hezbollah and other terrorist enemies of the USA.”
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis also criticized the administration.
“The Biden Administration continues to try to leave as much damage as possible on its way out the door. Cuba should not be removed from the list of state sponsors of terrorism,” he said on the X website.
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A Cuban flag is seen near the US Embassy to apply for a visa in Havana on Jan. 15, 2025. (ADALBERTO ROQUE/AFP via Getty Images)
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But some Democrats applauded the administration.
“I welcome the Biden administration’s steps to remove Cuba from the terrorist list – a long overdue step that will help repair relations with our neighbor,” said Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., in a statement.
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